Classroom Resources: Molecules & Bonding
1 – 25 of 60 Classroom Resources
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Separating Mixtures, Density, Polymers, Polymers | High School
Activity: Identifying Plastics with Density Data
In this activity, students will familiarize themselves with different types of plastics. Using data analysis, students will determine how to use the density values of a variety of plastic samples in order to separate a specific sample from a mixture.
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Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Structure, Measurements, SI Units | High School
Activity: Designing an Effective Respiratory Cloth Mask
In this activity students will use unit conversion to help compare sizes of molecules, viruses, and droplets and then use them to interpret graphical data. They will then use their findings to design a cloth mask that helps protect its wearer against infection by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
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Physical Properties, Intermolecular Forces, Polarity, Covalent Bonding, Molecular Geometry, Lewis Structures | High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Intermolecular Forces
In this simulation, students will review the three major types of intermolecular forces – London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding – through short video clips and accompanying text. They will then answer quiz questions using the relative strengths of these forces to compare different substances given their name, formula, and Lewis structure, and put them in order based on the strength of their intermolecular forces, their boiling point, or their vapor pressure. The simulation is designed as a five question quiz for students to use multiple times.
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Intermolecular Forces, Elements, Interdisciplinary, Percent Composition | High School
Activity: Investigating how the Chemistry of Plate Tectonics Affects Volcanoes
In this activity, students will learn about the impact chemistry has on plate tectonics and volcanoes. Students will analyze graphs and charts in order to better understand these topics during this investigation.
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Periodic Table, Atomic Radius, Ionization Energy, Electronegativity | High School
Activity: Periodic War
In this activity, students play a card game to apply their knowledge of the periodic trends of the main group elements.
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Physical Properties, Solubility, Polarity, Covalent Bonding, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Geometry, Electronegativity | Middle School, High School
Activity: The Chemistry of Water Video Questions
In this lesson, students will watch a video and answer questions about how the molecular geometry and polarity of water give rise to many of its unusual physical properties, including its relatively high boiling point and its ability to dissolve some substances but not others.
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Physical Properties, Solubility, Melting Point, Naming Compounds, Molecular Formula, Ionic Bonding, Ionic Radius, Ions | High School
Activity: My Name is Bond, Ionic Bond
In this lesson, students will demonstrate their knowledge of ionic bond strength using a “brackets” activity. Pairs of students start the activity playing a game of “Ionic Compound War” to build eight compounds. Then then transfer the compounds to a “bracket” and use their knowledge of ionic bonding, along with a solubility chart, to predict the strongest and weakest bond between four pairs of ionic substances.
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Physical Properties, Solubility, Melting Point, Naming Compounds, Molecular Formula, Ionic Bonding, Ionic Radius, Ions | High School
Activity: Ionic Bonding Brackets
In this lesson, students will demonstrate their knowledge of ionic bond strength and its relationship to the properties of melting point and solubility using a “brackets” activity. After analyzing the ionic charge and radius to predict the strongest and weakest bond between four pairs of ionic substances, they will then determine which will be the least soluble.
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Naming Compounds, Molecular Structure, Molecular Structure | High School
Activity: Naming Alkanes
In this activity, students will learn how to name simple organic structures including alkanes, branched alkanes and haloalkanes.
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Electricity, Polymers, Molecular Structure, Heat, Temperature, Molecular Geometry, Electronegativity | Middle School, High School
Activity: Future of Paint Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the fascinating and innovative scientific advancements of paint. During the video, Students will learn how the molecular components in paint are helping to evolve in the world around them.
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Mixtures, Molecular Structure, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Middle School, High School
Activity: What are Pigments? Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the chemistry of pigment molecules and how they are used to give paints their specific color. During the video, students will learn about the importance of a pigment’s molecular structure, how they are physically suspended to create a paint color, as well as how they interact with light.
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Mixtures, Intermolecular Forces, Polymers, Molecular Structure, Solute & Solvent, Intermolecular Forces, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Middle School, High School
Activity: What is Paint? Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the composition of paint. During the video, students will learn about the differences between three common paint types, water colors, oil-based and acrylic paint as well as the chemistry of each.
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Renewable Energy, Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Polymers, Heat, Molecular Structure | Middle School, High School
Video: Frontiers of Chemistry
This video explores new scientific developments that were made possible by the application of fundamental chemistry concepts. Students will learn about exciting advances in science and technology focused on three main topics: Solar Cells, 3D Printing and Micro Machines.
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Density, Elements, Periodic Table, Atomic Mass, Atomic Radius, Electronegativity | Middle School, High School
Activity: Organizing the Periodic Table
In this activity, students are challenged to organize elements into the shape of the periodic table based on trends in data. Students are given a set of cards, each card representing an element, and containing five data points for consideration. The data that students will analyze includes atomic mass, atomic radius, melting point, density and electronegativity.
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Elements, Interdisciplinary, Molecular Formula, Molecular Structure | High School
Activity: Discovering Minerals as Naturally Occurring Compounds
In this activity, students will learn about the basics of earth chemistry. Students will investigate and analyze the composition of various minerals, while drawing connections to their chemistry content knowledge. Additionally, students will examine the chemical make-up of the earth’s crust and interpret associated data.
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Covalent Bonding, VSEPR Theory, Molecular Geometry, Lewis Structures | High School
Activity: VSEPR with Balloons
In this activity, students will explore Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory using balloon models. Since balloons tend to take up as much space as they can when tied together, they can look like models of central atoms in VSEPR theory, making a great metaphor for the model. This activity is an extension of the activity, Shapes of Molecules found on the AACT website.
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Polarity, Covalent Bonding, VSEPR Theory, Electronegativity, Lewis Structures | High School
Activity: Properties of Common Molecular Substances
In this activity, students will apply their knowledge of molecular polarity, shape, and intermolecular forces to explain the differences in properties between different covalent substances.
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Polarity, Covalent Bonding, VSEPR Theory, Electronegativity, Lewis Structures | High School
Activity: Modeling Molecular Polarity
In this activity, students will use electronegativity values and their knowledge of covalent bonding to model the bonds in a molecule. Using this information they will learn how to determine the overall polarity of a molecule.
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Polarity, Covalent Bonding, Electronegativity | High School
Activity: Modeling Bond Polarity
In this activity, students will model the pull of electrons in a bond between two elements, demonstrating covalent bonding. In particular differentiating between polar and nonpolar bonds.
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Solubility, Intermolecular Forces, Polarity, Covalent Bonding, Solute & Solvent, Intermolecular Forces | High School
Activity: T-Shirt Chromatography
In this activity, students will learn about solubility, saturation, polarity, and intermolecular forces through chromatography techniques.
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Melting Point, Intermolecular Forces, Polarity, Boiling Point, Molecular Geometry | High School
Activity: Examining the Strength of Intermolecular Forces of Attraction
In this activity, students will be able to understand the strength of the attractions of the three intermolecular forces (IMFs) and use this information to help identify physical properties of molecules (such as melting point, boiling point or states of matter).
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Covalent Bonding, Molecular Structure, VSEPR Theory, Molecular Geometry, Lewis Structures | High School
Activity: Discovering Molecular Shapes
In this activity, students will use tactile methods (manipulation of connected strings) and a computer simulation to discover how electron-electron repulsion determines the 3D VSEPR geometric shapes of simple covalent molecules. It will allow them to practice drawing Lewis structures as well as deepen their understanding of the connection between a molecule’s structure and its shape.
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Percent Composition, Molecular Formula, Percent Composition, Mole Concept | High School
Activity: Mystery Gang Empirical Formulae
In this activity, students will determine empirical formulas for samples of trace evidence collected from various crime scene scenarios. They will use the information to link a criminal to a particular crime scene.
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Renewable Energy, Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Polymers, Molecular Structure, Heat | Middle School, High School
Activity: The Frontiers of Chemistry: Video Questions
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching a video about several exciting scientific developments, including solar cells, 3D printing and micro machines. This video will help students understand that fundamental chemistry concepts are essential to the advancement of science and technology.
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Molecular Formula, Mole Concept, Dimensional Analysis, Molar Mass | High School
Activity: Calculating Moles in Daily Life
In this activity, students will use dimensional analysis to complete calculations and conversions for the number of moles, atoms, and molecules in several everyday household items using collected data.